Exodus 30:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it.

NIV: Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

NASB: You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it.

CSB: Overlay its top, all around its sides, and its horns with pure gold; make a gold molding all around it.

NLT: Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar.

KJV: And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

NKJV: And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around.

Exodus 30:1–10 records the design of a special altar for God's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This is smaller than the altar used for animal sacrifices (Exodus 27:1). The golden altar (Hebrews 9:3–4) is meant for daily burning of incense (Exodus 30:34). This altar is not used for other sacrifices, though some believe the single atonement each year where Aaron applies blood to an altar's horns (Leviticus 16:18; 23:27) refers to this object. The incense altar is made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Israel transports it with gilded poles fitting into two rings.

Items described here function with other sacred objects (Exodus 25—28) constructed for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). One is a small gold-lined altar for incense. The other is a large bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The last two sets of instructions are for specially formulated anointing oil and sacred incense. Israel will establish a national tax to pay for these.

Much of Exodus is a description of the tabernacle and its components (Exodus 25—28). This is the last section of new designs given in this book. God will assign craftsmen to make the sacred objects (Exodus 31). But while Moses receives these instructions, Israel slips into idolatry (Exodus 32). The last several chapters of Exodus record how God's earlier instructions were followed with precision.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 7/12/2025 8:46:05 PM